2022-2023

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

Ending Poverty in Australia (Antipoverty Commission) Bill 2023

 

No.      , 2023

 

(Senator Rice)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Antipoverty Commission, and for related purposes

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2

3............ Object of this Act............................................................................... 2

4............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3

5............ Crown to be bound............................................................................. 3

6............ Extension to external Territories........................................................ 3

Part 2—The Antipoverty Commission                                                                      4

7............ Establishment of the Antipoverty Commission.................................. 4

8............ Functions of the Commission............................................................. 4

9............ Powers of the Commission................................................................. 5

10.......... Directions by the President................................................................. 5

11.......... Antipoverty reviews........................................................................... 5

12.......... Social security payment reviews........................................................ 7

13.......... Reviews at the request of the Minister or the Parliament................... 8

14.......... Research and advice—own initiative................................................. 8

15.......... Requests for advice............................................................................ 9

16.......... Minister may publish Commission’s advice...................................... 9

17.......... Procedures etc................................................................................... 10

18.......... Constitution of the Commission....................................................... 10

19.......... Reviews to be open and transparent................................................. 11

20.......... Reports of reviews............................................................................ 12

21.......... Reports of reviews—contents.......................................................... 12

22.......... Reports of reviews—tabling and publication................................... 14

23.......... Government required to respond to recommendations.................... 14

24.......... Publication of other information...................................................... 15

25.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 15

Part 3—Members of the Antipoverty Commission                                         17

26.......... Appointment of members................................................................. 17

27.......... Remuneration................................................................................... 18

28.......... Leave of absence.............................................................................. 18

29.......... Other paid work and disclosure of interests..................................... 18

30.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 19

31.......... Termination of appointment............................................................. 19

32.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 20

33.......... Acting members............................................................................... 20

Part 4—Parliamentary Joint Committee on Combatting Poverty in Australia 21

34.......... Parliamentary Joint Committee on Combatting Poverty in Australia 21

35.......... Powers and proceedings of the Joint Committee............................. 22

36.......... Functions of the Joint Committee.................................................... 22

37.......... Joint Committee may approve or reject recommendation for appointment of Commission member     23

Part 5—General Manager, staff and consultants etc.                                    24

38.......... Establishment................................................................................... 24

39.......... Functions and powers of the General Manager................................ 24

40.......... Directions from the President........................................................... 24

41.......... Appointment of the General Manager.............................................. 24

42.......... Remuneration................................................................................... 25

43.......... Leave of absence.............................................................................. 25

44.......... Other paid work and disclosure of interests..................................... 25

45.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 26

46.......... Termination of appointment............................................................. 26

47.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 27

48.......... Acting General Manager.................................................................. 27

49.......... Staff.................................................................................................. 27

50.......... Delegation by General Manager to staff.......................................... 27

51.......... Persons assisting the Commission.................................................... 28

52.......... Consultants....................................................................................... 28

53.......... Application of the finance law......................................................... 28

Part 6—Miscellaneous                                                                                                       30

54.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 30

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Antipoverty Commission, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: